Ballistic Test Cell Proven in High-Impact Demo

A revolutionary modular design of transparent glass test cell is selling in rapidly growing numbers to oil and gas developments worldwide. Today its UK-based manufacturer Boldman has released photos and videos demonstrating how it works.

Some of the biggest oil and gas providers of offshore engineering, in challenging environments around the world, are putting the new high-pressure test cell into use for testing offshore components under simulated extreme conditions.

The Boldman modular test cell is manufactured from the Boldman Aluminium Profile System and BR2 ballistic glass, customised to each individual client’s requirement. It is seen as a replacement for its heavy steel predecessor both because of vastly improved visibility and because of ease of shipping and installation on-site.  With 360-degree visibility, companies testing their equipment can invite their customer to view their equipment live whilst it is under test.

The structure of the cell is designed to withstand a strike from a ¾-inch two-part BuTech MP fitting under test up to 50,000psi. In-house testing has seen the cell withstand a 6.oz fitting travelling at speeds of up to 180 meters per second and 400 mph (pictured.) 

Nigel Clarke, CEO of Boldman commented, “Our ballistic glass and aluminium structure means that high pressure testing can be clearly and safely viewed by test engineers. Steel structures by comparison rely on cameras and have poor visibility. Our structure brings the tester in front of the cell allowing them to view the pressure testing from all angles.  We have tested the impact of projectiles to the extreme and we believe our product is the future of test cells.”  

The BR2 ballistic glass is produced by bonding glass and polycarbonate together under heat and pressure, resulting in excellent optical quality and spall free protection that does not eject any glass onto the safe side.

The first oil and gas producer to move from traditional steel test cells to Boldman’s aluminium and glass structure was FMC Technologies.

James Robb, Well Completion Systems Manufacturing Manager, FMC Technologies, said,

“We worked alongside Boldman Limited to develop a product that would deliver a safe environment for our pressure testers to operate within – a key driver in our decision to update our testing facilities. Their innovative approach to the design of the test cells ensured we received a product that aligned with our modular design process but did not comprise visibility for our operators or the quality of the test.”

Boldman is shipping its test cells in flat pack form worldwide. It is now being used in Nigeria, Angola, Norway, Malaysia, Ivory Coast, USA and UK.